Sri Lanka on alert for floods as heavy rains continue

A flood alert was issued in Sri Lanka on Monday as water levels of two major rivers rose rapidly due to continuous heavy rains.

The Disaster Management Center(DMC) said that water levels of the Kelani River, the fourth largest river in the country and the Maha Oya that flows through five important districts, continued to rise as heavy rains lashed out in many parts of the country.

A spokesman from the DMC told Xinhua that authorities were on alert and were ready to face any emergency situation if the rivers over-spilled.

Residents along the river banks have been evacuated and housed at temporary camps.

The Meteorology Department in a weather alert earlier on Monday said that heavy rains and strong winds would continue in many parts of the island country and people had been advised to remain cautious.

The extreme weather which began on Saturday evening was a result of an atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and had intensified into a low pressure area.

Several roads in the country have been cut off from minor floods and fallen trees and many schools around the country remained closed on Monday.

At least three people have been killed and three others missing due to landslides and heavy rains, the DMC said.

Over 8,000 people have been affected by the extreme weather and many have been assisted and housed at temporary camp by the Sri Lanka Red Cross.

Armed forces are also on alert and have been conducting search and rescue operations since Sunday. Naval troops were seen patrolling along the rivers and canals in the city, asking residents if any assistance was required.

At least eight districts in the country remained under a landslide warning and the public had been advised to avoid mountainous areas and roads.

Earlier on Monday, three international airlines which were scheduled to land in Sri Lanka's main international airport, were diverted to India and southern Sri Lanka due to heavy rainfalls in and around the airpor